A POLICE investigation is under way after a stolen car careered into a shop front and ruptured a gas main.

A POLICE investigation is under way after a stolen car careered into a shop front and ruptured a gas main.

Transco workers were forced to seal off Lugsdale Road, Widnes, for two hours on Saturday night, to carry out emergency repairs after a Rover came off the road at about 7.30pm, smashed into a the front of a terrace row close to Victoria Square and caused a gas leak.

Structural engineers later had to be drafted in to inspect severe damage to the frontage brick work, which occurred at a point between a home and a chip shop - although the impact left a large crack in the wall, the engineers gave the buildings a clean bill of health and said they were not in a dangerous condition.

Now, police have launched an urgent appeal for witnesses - a hunt is also under way for the driver and possible passengers who police say sprinted away from the scene immediately after the crash.

Nobody was injured during the incident, which involved a green Rover 75 'Club' model which was stolen on Saturday afternoon from the car park of a Widnes hotel.

A police spokeswoman said: 'The road was closed off while Transco dealt with the ruptured gas main and it was reopened at 9.20pm.

'There were no casualties as a result of the collision but the driver and any passengers who may have been in the vehicle ran off and remain outstanding.

'The police are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the Rover prior to it hitting the chip shop and who may have information about the manner in which it was being driven.

'We also want to hear from anyone who may know the driver or passengers.'

* Witnesses or anyone with information which could help the police should contact the officer on the case, PC Rolands, at Runcorn police station on 01928 713 456.

Information can also be left in the strictest conf idence on the Crimestoppers hotline 0800 555 111.